Origin
Lewiston, ME
Evening in Lewiston on Sunday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
4h 7m
Distance
199.4 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lewiston, ME
Meri Verbina
Calais, ME
Omran Soliman
Traveling from Lewiston to Calais covers 199.4 miles across the Northeast, making for a straightforward trek through Maine. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel, which is easily manageable as a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $32, this drive is quite economical for a cross-state journey. The route primarily relies on I-95, I-395, and US 202 to get you to your destination efficiently. Since the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Maine points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
99.7 miles from Lewiston, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93% of your journey stays on major roads. The drive maintains a steady pace, anchored by a significant 90.1-mile stretch along I-395. While you will transition between interstates and US 202, the overall character remains fast-moving rather than technical. You should anticipate a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, perfect for those who prioritize efficiency over winding backroads. The transition between these highway systems is the defining feature of your time on the road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 395 and I 95. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 126 / Sabattus Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Take the exit toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 395; ME 15
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between Lewiston, ME and Calais, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor and Brewer.
Waterville
Bangor
Brewer
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 395 | 90.1 mi | 2h 3m |
| I 95 | 72.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| US 202 | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| Route 202 | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Main Street | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Western Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Route 1 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Baring Street | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lewiston, ME and Calais, ME.
Start on this road
Turn sharp left onto ME 126
Turn right onto US 202
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Turn left
Turn straight onto Old Winthrop Road
Turn right onto Macomber Avenue
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Merge onto I 395; ME 15
Continue on I 395; ME 9; ME 15
Continue on US 1; ME 9
Continue on US 1; ME 9
Continue on US 1; ME 9
Enter roundabout onto US 1; ME 9
Continue on US 1; ME 9
Continue on US 1; ME 9
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
Turn left onto Germain Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 7-minute transit, try to hit the road early in the morning to keep your arrival time flexible. Since the itinerary includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh before tackling the final leg of the journey. Keep your $32 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you hit the longest 90.1-mile stretch on I-395 to avoid any mid-highway stress. Because this is a single-day trip, having that one stop planned out will help you maintain a comfortable pace without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.7 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calais, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lewiston, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lewiston, ME
This is one driving day of about 199.4 miles and 4h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.7 mi from Lewiston, ME · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.7 miles from Lewiston, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 395 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.1 miles.
The final approach into Calais, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Calais, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$31.92 one way
$63.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $34.99 | $69.98 |
| premium | $4.83 | $37.90 | $75.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.30 | $88.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.94 | $9.57 |
| Efficient EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.45 | $7.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.92 | $12.76 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Lewiston on Sunday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Calais on Sunday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
43°F
Brunswick, ME
100 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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